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Horror and disbelief bewildered the nation Monday when a gunman unleashed his rage upon innocent students and faculty at Virginia Tech, turning the picturesque campus into the scene of the deadliest school shooting in American history.

Initial details as to what precipitated the massacre were sketchy and continue to unfold, but this much is known: when the rampage was over, 33 lives had come to an abrupt end. As the ripple effect of the tragedy spreads sorrow and anguish far beyond Blacksburg, a disquieting aura of deja vu hangs over the nation.

A Tech student being interviewed by a TV news reporter referred to the incident as “the college Columbine.” It’s tragically sad for America that this week’s violent outburst isn’t the first; it’s just the most recent, and for now – the most deadly.

In the eight years that have passed since Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 15 people and wounded another 23 at Columbine High School in Colorado, there have been at least 22 similar slayings on school grounds in 16 states. Prior to Monday, the death toll stood at 35, with 31 people among the wounded.

“It’s all too common that by the time young people reach the tender age of 16, they’ve already killed thousands of people or creatures ‘virtually’ with realistic splatter and gore. Keep in mind that studies in neuroscience have shown that the human brain treats vividly imagined events and real ones almost identically,” said Pastor Parsley. “Thus, when the time comes to level a real gun at a real schoolmate, any tendency toward remorse or conscience will have been eliminated. They will already have ‘been there’ many times before.”

America is in desperate need of prayer. Bible-believing Christians know that there is a way to restore the sacred value human life holds.

“If my people, which are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

People of faith hold the key to transforming classrooms and other public places into the peaceful places they once were. At this pivotal moment in history, God’s children must step forward and become agents of change. If Christians fail to extend His love and compassion, anger and violence will decimate the nation.

As Congress once again ponders passage of H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a disturbing revelation has come to light. According to investigators, the alleged incident that prompted re-introduction of the bill in the 110th Congress never actually happened. The Feb. 23 death that gay activists are using to justify the exaggerated need for broader enforcement of federal hate-crimes laws, in fact, was the result natural causes (“Medical examiner: Spinal disease killed Andrew Anthos“). So the possible erosion of Christians’ constitutional rights is not based on truth.

The Center for Moral Clarity has consistently argued that the hate-crimes bill, which has been before Congress numerous times over the past seven years, is a poor piece of legislation. Nevertheless, desperate to advance a failing agenda, the bill’s proponents have resorted to fabricating the need for the law, which is one more valid reason to fight it.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act is linked to Anthos’ high-profile death. The 72-year-old homosexual reportedly met his demise after a phantom black man called him a derogatory name then struck him in the back of the head with a metal pipe. The “tragedy” so touched U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., that he delivered a moving speech on the Senate floor.

“We should condemn and act against the hate crimes that have plagued our nation and have had such a devastating impact on Andrew Anthos, and thousands of others and their families,” Levin said. “In addition, I hope that state governments will strengthen their own hate-crime statutes to combat this growing trend.”

If lawmakers really want meaningful legislation on this issue, the more fitting proposal would be to enact harsher punishment for people who lie about hate crimes. Gay activists are so eager to label offenses against their ranks as “hate crimes” they are distorting statistics in their favor. Such false reports end up in FBI data as well as impassioned congressional speeches. There’s no telling how many other “hate-crime” accounts are bogus.

How much should local governments regulate social service activities conducted by churches? Some municipalities are talking about implementing rules to restrict distribution of food by charitable groups, including churches.

City government has a legitimate responsibility to set standards that ensure safe food handling practices. No one would want a homeless family’s situation to worsen because of illness contracted from eating a contaminated meal. However, requiring volunteers to take a food-handling course – or face a $2,000 fine – may have unintended consequences, such as a dramatic drop in the number for people willing to give their time to help their less fortunate neighbors.

The restrictions under consideration also include limiting where food give-away distribution events can be held, and in some jurisdictions, a permit may be required.

Homelessness isn’t a crime, so those who are enduring hard times shouldn’t be treated like criminals. Public display of compassion ought to be a characteristic that cities promote and publicize rather than shamefully secreted on a quiet street.